For some reason, I feel like getting a shitty old van and driving down the coast is the answer to this horribly mundane working life. These weeks are flying by; and more and more, dreams of escape to some random interstate is at the forefront of my mind. Should I just go with it? Or accept this working life with open arms. I definitely, am more financially stable. But that in itself, sounds so boring. Though, it is nice to be able to afford certain things. I go to work, eat a $7.00 salad, work, possibly surf, eat, sleep, and repeat. Now I realize how cliche it is for a surfer to head down route 1 looking for that perfect unridden wave. Even moreso since my dad has already done it in the 70s. What a rebel! escaping suburban Maryland for California, and then back to his homeland, Hawaii. You'd never know it now. Looking at his now rounded figure and odd resemblance to the Colonel of the famed fried variety.

But, that guy has some stories. With 30 fast approaching, have I fully wasted my 20s?? With no stories of running to some far corner and exploring. I feel like all I did was work and not very much else.

A road trip is definitely in order, and maybe I'll try to camp for the first time.

Anyhow, sorry for the rambling. I'll let y'all know if something exciting happens. I did skin my knees pretty badly the other day from *ahem* skating.... like a big ol goober. So, I've got that story going for me right now

I was standing in line at tower records waiting to buy the CD. Wow, that sentence alone shows some time has passed. I remember it was another perfect summer day and I happened to be visiting home on Oahu. There was a lady in line, whom I could tell was a audiophile, was picking up a bunch of albums. She noticed I had picked up the one on the new releases rack. "Something Real" by Meg & Dia....

I first noticed this band on Myspace music. They were the featured band of the day(or week?) and happened to be playing the warped tour, of which, I had tickets to! So I gave them a listen, the songs were extremely catchy and fun, I decided I had to see them

I remember walking over from some random stage to the "Myspace Tent". It wasn't even a proper stage they were playing in! The familiar tunes were played, which I had on constant repeat for the past couple weeks on their Myspace page. Dia's mic cord unplugged at some point during their finale song of "Monster" and also performed barefoot (which I later learned was the norm). They weren't the biggest band or most polished, but I was all in. They were so fun to watch and listen to.

As the years passed I had seen them countless amounts of times. From rec centers, to the huge venues in the city, to a very strange hot topic tour in a mall. I crisscrossed California to see them. The music was always AMAZING the listen to, and "Setting up Sunday" will ALWAYS be one of my favorite songs of all time. But, what really made this album special, were the memories made while listening and heading to the shows.

I remember drinking some disgusting UV lemonade vodka in a parking lot on a hot summer day in Sacramento. The first shop we stopped in wouldn't let us buy the bottle because we had some underage friends with us. We went next door.

I remember leaving the Warfield in the tenderloin district in San Francisco and putting my money in my sock. I had parked a block block away and that was definitely the longest block I had ever walked. It was a delicate balance of not looking like a chump and not looking like I was challenging anyone.

I remember running into Nick, the drummer, and Jon, the bassist at in an In n Out during warped tour and giving them a ride back to the venue.

I remember the first show I saw them in after warped tour at a random art gallery. They were tallying at the door on a piece of paper, who came to see whom. Meg & Dia , Ronnie Day, or Action Reaction. We chanted for an encore and they sang "Setting up Sunday" and mashed up "Crimson and Clover" towards the end.

I remember driving to southern California, for the last show they were to play together at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. There was a mix up with their instruments, Dia was touring with Blake Shelton at the time. They had to play the show mostly acoustic. They closed their set with "Roses". More than "100 people" filled the room, for sure, and we all sang our hearts out. It was the biggest gathering of "boardies" (fanclub, kinda?) I had ever seen. I don't think at the time, I was really realizing that I would never hear these songs live, again. I don't know what I'd give to hear "Setting up Sunday" played live, one more time. But, it is a lot.

It has been 10 years since this all began and I am so thankful for the memories and comfort the album and shows gave me. I feel they have made better albums since then but this one. "Something Real". Has an incredibly special place in my heart.

Thanks for it all.

Happy 10 years guys!!

The audiophile turned to me and said "I was wondering about that one, should I pick it up?"

I've been settling in quite nicely into my new work environment. I have found customer service to be sort of a grind... The only time we ever hear from people is when they're having problems with our product. Well, I guess its growing up? Listening to whining all the time, haha! It's so different not being able to interact with people face to face. I miss that ( as I sit here typing behind a screen).

Anyhow, Holidays yeah? "Wow, I can't believe this year is almost over" --everyone

One of my favorite memories since I've last spoken to you all was a Disneyland trip with almost the entire group of friends. Friends I've had since high school! Tomorrowland was a bunch of hullabaloo because of the upcoming (at the time) release of Star Wars. I didn't get to ride Indiana Jones, but I did get churros and a mint julep. Far too many people there, but a jaunt down to Southern California is always a good time ( NO SURFING!?!? WAAAHHHH D: D: )

There was a funny moment during all this craziness. Everyone was filing out of the park as it was something like 11:30. I had found myself in Fantasyland. I was wearing my golden mickey ears. Late 20s man standing there, filled with excitement and expensive theme park food, deciding which ride to close out the night with. One of my favorite rides in Fantasyland is "Peter Pan's flight". The line was easily an hour long filled with adults determined to 'never grow up.' Now, if this hadn't been a near 16 hour day I would be one of them. I settled for "Pinnochio's Daring Journey" (btdub, who the heck dubbed these as children's rides!? they are super scurry). When I stepped out of the ride, I saw what would produce the snapshot above.

I realized here I am, choosing a daring journey over never growing up. The sword in the stone sits in front of that exit. A merry-go-round's lights twinkling golden in the background .I looked to my right, Peter Pan, and in front of me the sword sat in the stone. If I had a choice, I would have waited to pull the sword out, I think to myself. Peter has it figured out. The lost boys, I would fit right in.

I guess what I'm saying in this growing up blog ( a couple years late, I know. I'm a late bloomer, what can I say?) is that it is a daring journey. One that you should take. But, as long as you have your own personal Neverland where you don't let your dreams die or where you can still be a kid, you don't have to be so scared. You're not losing who you are. Enjoy life. Don't worry. Eat churros.

After about 10 years of working at the same place, I am finally about to leave. Tomorrow is my last day. It is quite bittersweet. More sweet, than anything, but the loss is familiarity will be very strange.

Today, I was driving home just reminiscing about everything. I liken it to leaving your childhood home. You're excited because you have this new place you're going to. Some new place to explore and make memories in. At the same time your old house knows everything about you, and you, it:

That's where you dropped the glass dish and it shattered everywhere....that's the creaky corner of floorboard that you always avoided when sneaking about. That wall is where I stood when that weirdo was at the door.

You'll see your old place again, but it'll never be the same. And, it'll be OKAY.

The biggest thing I'll miss is the sense of community. Working in a small town kind of sucks you in. You feel great knowing the cobbler down the street and waving as you walk by. That one lady that makes incredible banana bread that brings some in randomly for you. That older lady that you had a crush on for forever. That young girl who was always just a bit too happy to see you (DANGER!!!). Everything.

On this momentous eve, I'm hopeful. There are things behind I'll miss, but there are a great many things ahead that I've yet to experience and then miss all over again.

I got to visit home and it was wonderful. Hawai'i always is. I was sweating constantly with a smile plastered on my face. I had fish! Or, rather, a small piece of poke (I don't eat seafood for all yous readers out there) and it wasn't bad! Slathered in sauce, but it was fine. I surfed and soaked up all the perf rays. Why did my dad ever make us move from there!? My mom made my favorite meal and I got to spend time with some good friends. Though, I noticed the thing that always has a lasting impression, is leaving...

It's like a mini heartbreak to leave a place so familiar and dear to you. I find myself inhaling deeply at the airport to try and treasure my last few breaths on the island. Once that biting cold air of the airplane hits my nose, it is over. So I inhale. You think how easily you could slip back into place at home. But, then I remember, it is wonderful because it is a sanctuary that I can escape to. It would be divergent from that dream if I were a resident. And that thought makes the landing back here so much easier. It doesn't keep those thoughts of running back to paradise, out, but keeps me at ease.

P.S. My Camera ran out of battery (who would have thought to bring a charger!? pssahhh) so I have no other pictures! ughhh

Today is the first official day of this blog..thing. I started to sign up back in March and had written a sample but only clicked confirm late last night. I'm not sure who will read this, if anyone. But, if you are reading/ looking around, get ready for some aggressively mediocre blogging.